Moonbug, VaynerWatt partner on VeeFriends content
March 12, 2024
Moonbug Entertainment, a Candle Media company, and VaynerWatt, a production studio founded by Gary Vaynerchuk, Eric Wattenberg and Matt Higgins, have announced a strategic partnership to produce a premium content franchise based on the VeeFriends universe.
VeeFriends is a contemporary entertainment company created by Vaynerchuk that combines collectibles, events, games and technology to allow people to make stronger connections with themselves and VeeFriends characters. The brand is scaling its unique characters and their qualities to create a happier world by inspiring creativity, self-discovery and personal growth.
“I built VeeFriends in order to help change the world through dynamic characters that were both virtuous and entertaining, engaging and enlightening,” said Vaynerchuk. “I am excited to work with Candle Media and Moonbug Entertainment, which share many of the same core values, to expand this franchise for new platforms and audiences.”
Moonbug is an award-winning global entertainment company inspiring kids all over the world to laugh, learn and grow. The company is behind some of the biggest kids’ entertainment brands in the world including CoComelon and Blippi.
“Our companies share a vision to contribute to the development and enrichment of the next generation, which naturally allows for a strong partnership. The VeeFriends characters and universe that Gary and his team have created will make a strong foundation for an engaging show, which our team is excited to develop,” said René Rechtman, Co-Founder and CEO, Moonbug Entertainment.
Titled VeeFriends, the 2D-animated show will be rated for children ages 6-11. The show takes viewers into the VeeFriends universe and features a collection of larger-than-life VeeFriends characters who compete in the VeeDome, the ultimate over-the-top challenge arena, to battle out the biggest issues facing tweendom today. Every character who goes into the VeeDome comes out a little stronger, and a lot more self-aware.
“VeeFriends is thrilled to be partnering with Moonbug to create a show that not only entertains but nurtures emotional intelligence,” said VeeFriends President Andy Krainak. “Through VeeFriends’ characters, we aim to inspire both empathy and competition, empowering the next generation to balance passion with emotional understanding.”
Episodes will be released starting in slate Summer 2024 as three-minute shorts on YouTube. The show presents an opportunity for co-viewing, as it covers themes and storylines for parents and kids to explore and discuss together.
“With the VeeFriends universe, Gary and the VaynerWatt team have built an innovative, inspiring, digitally-native storyworld, which has galvanised a deeply engaged community around characters that espouse positive values,” said Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, Candle Media Co-Founders and Co-CEOs. “We are excited for Candle and Moonbug to join the VeeFriends family, to further develop these unique characters into an innovative premium content franchise.”